nged marriage and the future that lay ahead. I felt trapped and helpless, like my life was being decided for me without my consent

ce my father again. As I went downstairs, I saw him at the breakfast tabl

e shaking but firm. "I won't mar

ou're being selfish, Amelia. This

ack. "You're willing to sacrific

ll. "Your father has given you everyt

there for you, Amelia. And this is how you

" I shouted back. "It'

s how you want it, maybe you'

ermination was clear. I knew I had no choice. "

I couldn't believe my father was being so unreasonable. I found myself a

ened?" Sophie exclaimed, c

ophie pulled me inside, and we sat on th

her his business," I said, my voice shaking. "A

aimed. "You have every right t

we ordered pizza and watched movies, trying to forget my troubles, but as I lay in bed, I couldn't shake of

soon. Once home, I booted up my laptop and started researching Ryu Chen. My eyes widened in shock as I realized h

handsome he was, with his tattoos and piercing eyes. My father called me

I don't know if I'm

s a great opportunity for our family.

a mafia boss I've never me

mly. "Ryu Chen is a powerful man, and marr

htmare where daughters were pawns in their father's business deals. Back

. Remember me?" It was the guy I'd bumped into,

at about you? Yeah

s! Want to grab

agreed, and we made plans t

nd myself opening up to him easily, feeling comfortable and at ease. After a wh

ome, he asked, "Can we gr

"I'm getting

ish you all the best,

no choice; my father's ultimatum had made that clear. I picked up the address my father had se

car. The lobby was cold, all glass and marble. The receptionist barely glanced at me before gesturing

ndow, his back turned to me, that drew my attention. Ryu Chen. He was tall, his broad shoulders encased in a

e, his voice smooth but dev

rry. The

s hand, moving closer. "Spare me the excus

flare despite my fear. "I'm onl

g into a cold smile. "Then this

d my chin. "Well, I want you

er words, Miss Petrov. You're here because yo

m only here becaus

e one thing clear. This marriage is a business transaction, nothing more. You will pla

. Chen, the fee

everything you need to prepare fo

the office, my head held high. But inside, I fe

hts a chaotic mess. I needed to clear my head, to figure out how I was going to survive the days, weeks, and years to come.

headed, my mind too preoccupied with the encounter. I walked over to a bench and sat down, staring

y despised me? The thought of spending the rest of my life with someone like Ryu made my

ver him. I made a silent vow to myself. No matter what happened, I wouldn't let him bre

o Sophy's place instead of going home. I needed to talk to someone, and Sop

e door before I could even knock. "Amelia, what h

.sophy's eyes widened wit

at I feared-cold, ruthless, and completely emotionless. He looke

to the couch. "I knew he was bad, but hearing

me we'd meet again to finalize wedding details

so heartless? And to treat you like this, when you're

know how I'm going to do this, Soph

You've been through so much already, and you'll get thr

ile. "Thank you, Sophy I don't

ough this, even if it seems impossible now.

entually, Sophy pulled back and smiled. "How about we order takeout, wa

or the distraction.

it. We'll eat too much, watch some K-dramas,